Question

The Soviets' exit from Afghanistan led to a

sweeping victory for democracy

series of unstable governments

Soviet-style dictatorship

U.S.-backed Muslim theocracy

Answer 1

I won't disagree that it was something of a geopolitical victory for the West, at least to America and its allies, in seeing the Soviets succumb to their own Vietnam. The sad thing is that it didn't lead to democracy in the immediate aftermath.

I think the second answer, that it led to a series of unstable governments, is what I'd probably lean towards. After the Soviets left, the different tribes and warlords that had once united against them now went to war against themselves on who would run the country.

This resulted in a highly unstable political backdrop, one which the US eventually reduced its interest in leaving it to those such as Pakistan to handle rebuilding. Unfortunately, a few of those nations took advantage of the chaos to ally themselves with power blocs within Afghanistan to pursue their own agendas. Eventually that led to the Taliban establishing power, taking over from the chaos.

Answer 2

thanks